Narrative of two voyages to the River Sierra Leone during the years 1791-1792-1793

the long version

"Anna Maria Falconbridge's Narrative of Two Voyages is the first published Englishwoman's narrative of a visit to West Africa. She and her husband, Alexander Falconbridge, an activist in the campaign to abolish the slave trade, were sent to Sierra Leone in 1791 by the Sierra Leone Company to prepare a settlement for freed slaves. She wrote letters to a friend in Bristol about her experiences, describing what she saw of African life and customs." "The Falconbridges left Sierra Leone after a few months, narrowly escaping shipwreck on the way home. They then returned, to help establish the Sierra Leone settlement at Freetown. Alexander, from whom Anna Maria had become estranged, died, whereupon she married a more sympathetic spouse. Disgusted by what they saw as the incompetence and self-righteousness of the Sierra Leone Company and of the abolitionist movement, they left Freetown on board a slave ship. Back in London, Anna Maria demanded from the Company money she claimed was owing to Falconbridge. When it was refused, she published her letters, adding an outspoken denunciation of the Company's behaviour."--BOOK JACKET.